“Liǎn (脸) is an experimental mask that explores the relationship between our online personas and offline self. It responds to one’s real time online emotions. “

“Liǎn is heavily inspired by the Chinese face changing opera art 变脸 (biàn liǎn) and online avatars. 变脸 translates to face changing. The performer changes their face to signify a shift in emotion. This performance parallels our online behaviours; we wear many faces online and are able to change them at any moment.”

Jann Choy is a GCD graduate, and this project was showcased on the course webpage at the same time that I was researching design courses.

I was fascinated by the thought process, techniques and approach to communication design that were employed in this work. To me it was a project that challenged the idea of what could be considered graphic design. What makes the project successful to me is how Choy designs with a balance the familiar & the novel- in materials, message, and medium -considering the audience’s capacity to engage and understand with the project comprehensively.

The project demonstrated how the course encouraged alternative approaches to communication design, through ways of thinking and making, and affirmed my aspirations to attend here.